The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-17

wished to get away from the gloom
that Bimley was creating in his quiet,
rural retreat. and yet longed 10 be near,
and, if possible, avert the blow from
Kate's head; or, failing in that, L, perhaps
selfishly, thought might find place in
one corner of that gentle heart and cheer
and comfort her in her great misery.
Notwithstanding her soiicitude and
such constant watchfulness, had sever
al times induced this girl to accompany
me on short fishing excursions on the
lake. We rowed out nearly to the bank
fsrthest from Bimley's farm, where the
pickerel were always abundant and hun
cry. Kate, before leaving her father,
would insist that Tom Elkins should re-
main close by him, and, in vicarious
way, take her place as guardian angel.
One day, however, as her father was
asleep, exhausted and tired from having
sat up all the night before, she consent
ed to have Tom accompany us, somewhat
against her wishes, and very much
against mine. l had, on our excursions
together, made no little progress, fat
ter myself, in the task of dispossessing her
troubled mind OF the idea that her father
meditated any harm to himself. / had
succeeded, admit, in this work by adopt
ing methods that were immensely self
satisfying to the comforter. Hence was
averse to the presence of a third party;
but could not help myself, SO 1 yielded
gracefully.
We were having an exceptionally good
catch this day, and Hates face wore a
flush of excitement, and her excitement,
and her eyes were brighter than usual. 1
sat watching her animated and pretty
face while Tom was unlocking fine
pickerel from her line. 1t was a very
pretty picture, and was revolving in
my mind some expedient for getting off
with her next time unknown to Tom
Elkins, that L might have an opportunity
of speaking about something closer to my
heart than shiny, scaly fish.
"Bapg! bangp came two sharp reports
of pistol, which the tall rocky noun
tain's face replicated with so distinct in
tervals that they seemed like four shots.
"Mercitul Godp' screamed the girl, at
tempting to leap from the boat in the di-
rection of the Bimley home.
seized her, as Tom seized the oars,
and as we few over the still water, Kate
chung to me in terror that made her I'M
concious Of her actions. She did not
faint. Her eyes we're rivited to mine, as
the boat SKINNED toward the shore. 1
saw then what made me happy even in
that tragic hour. I read in her gaze q
look of love. Not that floating, airy
bliss of happiness that comes to lovers
under most suspicious circumstances,
but deep, appealing, clingmg love; a
helpless love that beseeches an echo to
its sadness, partaker Of it's pain. 1
pressed her more closely. Tom would
suppose, if he supposed anything about
it, that was trying to keep her from
fiinging herself into the lake.
We we're soon flying up the slope to-
ward the house. We rushed in together
Not soul was there. Out we went and
toward the barn. A wild cry of pain
from Kate, who had outstripped us in
her haste, told the story OF the rash deed.
Two forms were lying prone upon the
fiat rock in front of the great barn doors.
One was Bimley's, the other was that of
his guardian angel. His guardian angel
| bod ralo~aI MI
enough to permit the contamination of
this deadly deed.
Two CHASTITY holes in Bimley's body re-
vealed the outlet of his tired life.
Poor Kate, orphaned, shocked, sense
less, clasped the nerveless hand of her
father
We took her up tenderly and carried
her into the house, where she soon re.
covered. A low moan was the only re-
ply she made to my comforting words.
On the fat rock 1 read these words
craven there. John Bimley had scratch
ed the date with an old knife; "John
Bimley, September II, 1885,"
The sun was going down behind the
ragged ridge of the mountains, just ting
ing the lake with it's departing glories.
We three stood there by the lake talking
over the plans of the future.
"You will go with me, Kate, and you
shall have home as long as have one"
said Tom Elkms, heartily.
Kate glanced from Tom to me and
back.
81 don't know, Uncle Tom," she an
swered almost in a whisper
Kate and had short conference, un-
known to Elkips.
"Whatp said the latter, fixing his eyes
intently on her. Don't knowP
ST don't think she will accept your
kind offices, Mr.. EIkins," I interposed.
"Kste has given me the right to put in a
much stronger claim than yours, if you
are her uncle, to take care of John Bim-
ley's girl now"
Kate corroborated this statement by
putting her hand in mine.
A GRAVE PROBLEM.